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I’ve been so wrapped up in coming up with my storyline, that I never once put pen to paper (or finger to keyboard…I guess). So last Thursday, I finally said, “screw it,” and just started writing. I was hoping that the idea may just come to me as the words started flowing and that is precisely what happened! I’m sure I’ll change the storyline numerous times along the way, but actually getting something down on paper is so completely gratifying. Now my mind is swirling with all kinds of ideas!

I actually loved doing it too! Thursday night, I could’ve stayed up until the wee hours of morning as the ideas just kept coming to me, but unfortunately, the 8-5 job doesn’t allow for that (insert frowny bratty face). Not to mention, those stupid Powerball numbers failed to listen to my instructions Saturday night. They’re so disobedient. Oh well, maybe one day I can make writing my full time job. One can dream, right?

Anyway, I am very excited about my ideas and can’t wait until it all starts coming together. I will, of course, keep you all up to date on my progress.

Also, now that I’m finally moving forward, I would love any suggestions on organization, structure, etc… I read something about a program called Scrivener’s that is helpful. Does anyone have any tips on this, or unique methods you use? As always, thank you!

Yikes! What a rude awakening to my new year. I’ve been off of work the last week and a half and completely took full advantage of it. I don’t think I’ve ever been so relaxed in my entire life. And as we all know, sometimes relaxation = pure laziness…I’m talking jammies all day kind of laziness. So, as I logged in today to write this, I realized it’s been 24 days since my last post! Ouch!!!! This can’t be good for my “one post per week” resolution. Plus, with all that time off, I only wrote one single page of a story. One page…that’s it!

So as much as this bums me out, I will simply brush it off and get my BUTT IN GEAR! Holidays are a crazy hectic time and I’m just going to chalk it up to that. Now to get back on track, here’s my first weekly post of 2016!

On a personal note, the holidays were great! I finished another book, which was great! It was a Tami Hoag book called Cold, Cold Heart. I liked it, but was able to predict the ending. Still really good though.

Also, a quick mention for Star Wars. My husband made me watch episodes 4, 5 and 6 right after Christmas so we were able to see episode 7 during our break. Absolutely AMAZING! I now need an Ewok and BB-8 in my life. Seriously. The movie was great. My husband cried 3 times…yes, you heard me right…3 times. I’m not sure when episode 8 is coming out, but I can guarantee I’m not going to be happy waiting that long.

Lastly, I started watching Making a Murderer on Netflix! I’m only on Episode 7, so I don’t know the outcome. However, I am already raging about it. I’m furious! Like “steam blowing out of my ears” furious. How in the world does something like this happen?? How??? Someone please explain this to me. I’m dying to know.

Can you believe the new year is right around the corner? Where did the last 12 months go? No, seriously…where did they go? I feel like I was trying to figure out my 2015 New Year’s resolutions just a few weeks ago. Anyway, here we go again! Time to start thinking of what changes I would like to make in 2016. I’ve decided to make writing a key resolution for the New Year. Specifically though, I’m not sure what to do. Of course I’m doing the good ol’ classics too….you know….lose weight, eat healthy, exercise, be more organized, try not to complain as much….blah, blah, blah.

So this writing one….I feel like I need to be really specific to have the best chance at success. I was thinking of these:

Write at least one blog post every week.

Write a short story once a week.

Read five new books a month.

Turn off my inner critic. (this one is going to be HARD)

It’s not much, but it’s a start. Do any of you have any writing resolutions that have worked for you? I’m always open for suggestions.

So I’m not going to lie….I haven’t done much writing the last week or so. I’ve been down with a cold and pretty much spent the last 6 days on the recliner, in my pajamas, watching Maury, Price is Right, and all the other guilty pleasure shows we’re all too embarrassed to admit we watch when we’re sick. However, I’m feeling better (for the most part) and am feeling a renewed hunger to write. One cool update to report is that my writing exercise (this one) has been very successful. If you’ve never done it, I highly recommend you try it. Craig Hole, one of the guys that I’ve done this exercise with actually created a short story inspired by our exercise! How freaking cool is that?! You should check it out right here. While you’re there, take a look at his blog! The exercise really does help you with writer’s block and, for me, it has helped fill my brain with all these new ideas.

Since I’ve definitely deemed this exercise successful, I’d love it if anyone else out there had any other ideas or exercises that they’ve found to be successful. Help a newbie out!! Somebody? Anybody?

I figured I’d grace you with another blog about me. Not aspiring writer me. Just plain ol’ me.

I don’t think I’ve mentioned this, but I’m a HUGE Walking Dead fan. So as you can imagine, I was tragically devastated about a month ago as Glenn fell from a garbage dumpster to his “death.” It wasn’t quite as bad as when Hershel died. I almost completely quit watching the show after that gut-wrenching scene (after I finished balling my eyes out). It was pretty close though. I spewed some four-letter words like they were the only words left in the dictionary. But alas, social media gave me hope…..was Glenn really alive? There were shiny, shimmery glimmers of hope at every corner. “He wasn’t in the “In Memoriam” section.” “He wasn’t on The Talking Dead.” “There was a hole under the dumpster…that’s how he got away.” I never lost hope. So after waiting ONE LONG ASS MONTH, we FINALLY got our answer in last night’s episode. Hallelujah! Glenn is alive!

Now, we can all sleep soundly at night. I know I can. I have heard some terrible things about upcoming episodes…especially once Negan arrives….but for now I will savor in the current bliss I am feeling. I’ll just take this one episode at a time.

On another note, I also saw The Peanuts Movie this weekend. I thought it was very cute and funny and was a wonderful throwback to easier times. I’m very happy that they were able to keep it very true to form and didn’t feel the need to litter it with a bunch of current pop culture trends. I’m not sure I could’ve handled a twerking Charlie Brown.

Hopefully you all had a wonderful weekend! Did any of you catch any great movies?

So I’ve been fortunate enough to try my writing exercise with a couple people. For those that didn’t see my last post (shame on you! haha), I highly suggest you check it out. It’s basically an exercise that is designed to help you not overthink things…and JUST WRITE! Overthinking has definitely been my kryptonite in this writing process, but I can absolutely see the benefit in this exercise. You’re supposed to respond within a specified amount of time, which has helped me tremendously. When I’m forced to just write…..I JUST WRITE! Imagine that. Additionally, the people I have done the exercise with so far have been great writers (intimidatingly so), so I feel like it’s forcing me to try even harder. While I’m not at their level, I like the challenge. Also, from the stories I’ve done so far, I feel my mind going into overdrive. I’ve had a bunch of new ideas for a storyline pop up in my head, which is exactly what I’ve been needing. So I would say this exercise has been a success so far! Do you guys have any other ideas for great writing exercises? I’d love to hear them!